Dear
NEO family,
These
are exciting days on the NEO District. Every week I hear new reports of God’s
work among our churches and I am encouraged! I can hardly wait for our
District Thanksgiving Service, November 24, 5pm. We will attempt to
incorporate some of what Phineas Bresee did in his “love feasts”. Because he
believed Christian testimony was a key element in “getting the glory down”,
these accounts of God’s transforming work were the cornerstone of the love
feast. Our District worship arts team is already working on a service of
praise, scripture, testimony and the Lord’s Supper. Bresee shared bread and
water at the love feasts – we may go all out and have soup and cornbread! Put
this event on your calendar.
Speaking
of our founder, in his book, Phineas Bresee, Pastor to the People,
Carl Bangs tells that Bresee had a progressive spirit regarding worship
songs. In his final years in Iowa, Bresee introduced “modern gospel songs.”
This new music was a turning point for Bresee and American Protestantism
generally. Bresee regarded the new songs as an alternative to sober, less
optimistic hymnody. He used choruses in prayer meetings, particularly,
interspersing songs and prayer. (p. 71 – 72) Of course, some today may think
we are being true to Bresee if we sing the gospel songs of Bresee’s era. No
doubt some of them are still helpful to the people of God in expressing their
praise to Him. But the spirit of Bresee would challenge every era to
incorporate new songs that fit the culture of the day and help the people
respond in heartfelt praise and worship. I sure do love our heritage!
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WORSHIP
- CAMP MEETING STYLE
OCTOBER 23, 10:30
A.M.
CENTRAL CHURCH OF
THE NAZARENE
SANCTUARY
7291 E 81st
Street, Tulsa, OK
FELLOWSHIP LUNCH
TO FOLLOW
PRE-PAID
RESERVATION NECESSARY - $6
PREACHER: DR.
STAN TOLER, GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT, EMERITUS
SINGER: REV.
MONTY NICHOLS,
MUSKOGEE FIRST
PASTOR
PREPAID LUNCH
RESERVATIONS MAY BE MADE BY CALLING / EMAILING
JOHN WILLIAMSON –
918-859-3600
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Lunch
reservations due by this Sunday, October 20
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Following
are some great quotes from David Platt’s book, Follow Me. These are
from chapter 2, “The Great Invitation”:
· “The
reality of the gospel is that we do not become God’s children ultimately
because of initiative in us, and he does not provide salvation primarily
because of an invitation from us. Instead, before we were ever born, God was
working to adopt us. While we were lying alone in the depth of our sin, God
was planning to save us. And the only way we can become part of the family of
God is through a love entirely beyond our imagination and completely out of
our control. Christianity does begin with our pursuit of Christ, but with
Christ’s pursuit of us. Christianity does not start with an invitation we
offer to Jesus, but with an invitation Jesus offers to us.” P. 29
· “Jesus
is not calling these disciples because of who they are, but in spite of who
they are.” P. 36
· “Do
we realize the weight of the one who has invited us to follow him? He is
worthy of more than church attendance and casual association; he is worthy of
total abandonment and supreme adoration.” P. 38
· “So
how can God show both righteous wrath and holy love toward sinners at the
same time?... This is the climactic question of the Bible, and the answer is
the cross of Christ. At the cross of Christ, God shows the full expression of
both his wrath and his love, as Jesus is stricken, smitten, afflicted,
wounded, crushed, and chastised for the sake of sinners.” P. 43
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Parenting Seminar at Tulsa Hills Church
Tickets are $20/person before 10/19; $25 after 10/19.
Groups of 10 or more receive $2 off per ticket.
Seating is limited so buy early!
To register, call Tulsa Hills church office: 918 445-1793
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